wireless settings

I've just bought a toshiba laptop with windows 7 and wifi capability. I'm
also working through "dummy's guide to windows 7". According to the book,
when setting up a wireless router I must enter the security encryption
method (WEP, WAP, WAP2) supported by my computer. Unfortunately, it omits
to tell me where on my PC to find this information. Could someone help me on
this?

Jim

"Jim" <> wrote in message
news:lo5ln.48376$...
> I've just bought a toshiba laptop with windows 7 and wifi capability. I'm
> also working through "dummy's guide to windows 7". According to the book,
> when setting up a wireless router I must enter the security encryption
> method (WEP, WAP, WAP2) supported by my computer. Unfortunately, it omits
> to tell me where on my PC to find this information. Could someone help me
> on this?

If the PC is running Windows 7, it's virtually a certainty that its wireless
adaptor will support WPA - and probably WPA2.

I would suggest you connect the PC to the router by Ethernet (for the
initial setup) and configure WPA2 with a key, then remove the Ethernet cable
and try to connect to the router. If this fails, reconnect the Ethernet,
configure the router for WPA with a key and try to connect.

Don't leave the PC connected both by Ethernet and wireless because you'll
confuse it by giving it two ways of sending traffic to the router.

"Mortimer" <> wrote in message
news:hn2o5t$798$...
> "Jim" <> wrote in message
> news:lo5ln.48376$...
>> I've just bought a toshiba laptop with windows 7 and wifi capability.
>> I'm also working through "dummy's guide to windows 7". According to the
>> book, when setting up a wireless router I must enter the security
>> encryption method (WEP, WAP, WAP2) supported by my computer.
>> Unfortunately, it omits to tell me where on my PC to find this
>> information. Could someone help me on this?
>
> If the PC is running Windows 7, it's virtually a certainty that its
> wireless adaptor will support WPA - and probably WPA2.
>
> I would suggest you connect the PC to the router by Ethernet (for the
> initial setup) and configure WPA2 with a key, then remove the Ethernet
> cable and try to connect to the router. If this fails, reconnect the
> Ethernet, configure the router for WPA with a key and try to connect.
>
> Don't leave the PC connected both by Ethernet and wireless because you'll
> confuse it by giving it two ways of sending traffic to the router.

I'll second that with one or two minor amendments.

Turn off laptop wireless and connect by cable (RJ45/ethernet) to the router.
Check router manufacturer's website for any firmware upgrade. If there is
one, download and upgrade the router software. (Why? I spent hours trying to
get my laptop/router set up securely. No problem with unencrypted
connection, but just would not work with WPA/WEP. Only a firmware upgrade
allowed it to work with Windows7 security.)

Disconnect cable and switch on wireless connection (keep laptop close to
router for the initial setup). The laptop should find the router. If it
doesn't for some reason, go to control Panel | Network and sharing center |
Set up a new connection or network, and follow the instructions.

When the laptop has found the router, click on "Manage network settings" at
the top left of "Network and sharing center". Double click the router
entry, and go to the "Security" tab. Now go to IE8 (or whatever browser you
use) and go to your router's address. Set that up for WPA or WPA2, (or WEP
if you have to!).

When that security info has been saved in the router, you should find that
your laptop can no longer talk to the router. Go back to the Network and
sharing center "Security" tab and enter the same setup information you did
for the router.

You should now find that the laptop is talking to the router again.

If there is a problem, remember that you can always turn off the wireless
connection and reconnect the ethernet cable to try to sort things out.

--

Jeff

On 08/03/2010 11:42, Jim wrote:
> I've just bought a toshiba laptop with windows 7 and wifi capability.
> I'm also working through "dummy's guide to windows 7". According to the
> book, when setting up a wireless router I must enter the security
> encryption method (WEP, WAP, WAP2) supported by my computer.
> Unfortunately, it omits to tell me where on my PC to find this
> information. Could someone help me on this?
>

It'll be WPA2 or any of the others as well if its anything built in the
last 3 years. WPA2 is most secure.




--
Conor
I'm not prejudiced. I hate everyone equally.

"Jeff Layman" <> wrote in message
news:hn2vrt$jd6$...
> "Mortimer" <> wrote in message
> news:hn2o5t$798$...
>> "Jim" <> wrote in message
>> news:lo5ln.48376$...
>>> I've just bought a toshiba laptop with windows 7 and wifi capability.
>>> I'm also working through "dummy's guide to windows 7". According to the
>>> book, when setting up a wireless router I must enter the security
>>> encryption method (WEP, WAP, WAP2) supported by my computer.
>>> Unfortunately, it omits to tell me where on my PC to find this
>>> information. Could someone help me on this?
>>
>> If the PC is running Windows 7, it's virtually a certainty that its
>> wireless adaptor will support WPA - and probably WPA2.
>>
>> I would suggest you connect the PC to the router by Ethernet (for the
>> initial setup) and configure WPA2 with a key, then remove the Ethernet
>> cable and try to connect to the router. If this fails, reconnect the
>> Ethernet, configure the router for WPA with a key and try to connect.
>>
>> Don't leave the PC connected both by Ethernet and wireless because you'll
>> confuse it by giving it two ways of sending traffic to the router.
>
> I'll second that with one or two minor amendments.
>
> Turn off laptop wireless and connect by cable (RJ45/ethernet) to the
> router. Check router manufacturer's website for any firmware upgrade. If
> there is one, download and upgrade the router software. (Why? I spent
> hours trying to get my laptop/router set up securely. No problem with
> unencrypted connection, but just would not work with WPA/WEP. Only a
> firmware upgrade allowed it to work with Windows7 security.)
>
> Disconnect cable and switch on wireless connection (keep laptop close to
> router for the initial setup). The laptop should find the router. If it
> doesn't for some reason, go to control Panel | Network and sharing center
> | Set up a new connection or network, and follow the instructions.
>
> When the laptop has found the router, click on "Manage network settings"
> at the top left of "Network and sharing center". Double click the router
> entry, and go to the "Security" tab. Now go to IE8 (or whatever browser
> you use) and go to your router's address. Set that up for WPA or WPA2,
> (or WEP if you have to!).
>
> When that security info has been saved in the router, you should find that
> your laptop can no longer talk to the router. Go back to the Network and
> sharing center "Security" tab and enter the same setup information you did
> for the router.
>
> You should now find that the laptop is talking to the router again.
>
> If there is a problem, remember that you can always turn off the wireless
> connection and reconnect the ethernet cable to try to sort things out.
>
> --
>
> Jeff
>
>
Thanks, I've copied all three replies to a folder.
Jim